Toyota Industrial Equipment is now offering explosion-proof forklifts as a factory option.

Forklifts will be modified to operate safely in potentially explosive environments such as environments classified as zones one and two.

Zone one is classified as an environment in which an explosive atmosphere is associated with the normal operation of equipment and zone two is for environments in which an explosive atmosphere will not occur under normal operating conditions and, if it occurs, will be for a short period of time.

The explosion-proof option is available on Toyota's 7FDF and 7FBMF models and is suitable for customers in industries ranging from chemical to distillery.

Toyota product manager Benoit Meunier said the company was now offering the forklifts as a factory option to make the ordering, service and maintenance process simple and quick for customers.

"Service levels will be enhanced because customers can now go directly to Toyota to deal with servicing issues covering all areas of a forklift, including the explosion-proof system," he said.